Aztecs pluck Ohio State transfer

SAN DIEGO - The San Diego State football team has landed Ohio
State transfer Ryan Williams, a 6-foot-6, 245-pound defensive
end.

"That's a big transfer for us to get," Aztecs head coach Chuck
Long said Wednesday at the team's media day. "He was a No. 1
recruit nationally coming out of high school. When I was at
Oklahoma, we offered him, recruited him. For him to come back and
give us consideration and now be with us, we're excited."

Williams, whose younger brother Ross recently verbally committed
to play for the Aztecs, will have to sit out this season because of
NCAA transfer rules. He will have two years of eligibility
remaining starting in 2008.

The Mission Viejo High graduate's career with the Buckeyes
barely got off the ground because of a serious knee injury suffered
while on the scout team during hisredshirt year. He played in two
games last season and entered spring ball as one of two backups to
second-team All-Big Ten performer Vernon Gohlston.

Long said Williams' knee has completely healed.

In other news, Aztecs players report to fall camp today, with
the first practice on Friday. Senior tight end Lance Louis and
junior offensive tackle Dan Hathaway will not participate early in
camp to focus on academics.

Long also said he does not expect cornerback recruit DeAndre
West to qualify academically.